Intel proposes x86-S, a redux of the x86 architecture

Sunlight91 · May 28, 2023

I don't think the people who decide on this drastic change care about old games. Far more important is legacy code of industry/financial services and military. These types of large organizations need to know if their code can run on new hardware in case of expansion, replacement or tech consumables like smart bombs.

Most programmers today are platform independent high-level programmers who don't directly work with the computer architecture. What Intel definitely needs is the support of the compiler teams of many modern programming languages.

Chrispy_ · May 31, 2023

Presumably any software needing legacy 16 or 32-bit is so old that modern CPUs can run it plenty fast enough even with a 50x penalty to performance through software emulation.

Backwards compatibility and legacy support is definitely hurting x86.

Vya Domus · May 31, 2023

I really don't know if this really matters that much, once instructions get turned into micro ops the ISA becomes effectively irrelevant.

Dr. Dro · May 31, 2023

Vya Domus said:
I really don't know if this really matters that much, once instructions get turned into micro ops the ISA becomes effectively irrelevant.

Booting directly to 64 bit mode could improve startup times I suppose, and maybe harden security a bit by reducing the attack surface to only what's relevant to modern software?

Vya Domus · May 31, 2023

Dr. Dro said:
Booting directly to 64 bit mode could improve startup times I suppose, and maybe harden security a bit by reducing the attack surface to only what's relevant to modern software?

Perhaps but I don't know if it's worth the colossal hassle of redoing x86, there is so much legacy stuff out there a lot of corporations/institutions wouldn't even want to hear about it.

agent_x007 · May 31, 2023

Vya Domus said:
Perhaps but I don't know if it's worth the colossal hassle of redoing x86, there is so much legacy stuff out there a lot of corporations/institutions wouldn't even want to hear about it.

They will be forced to "get by" with just AM5 and LGA 1700 (worst case), oh no ? [/s]

nageme · Jun 3, 2023

Dr. Dro said:
Booting directly to 64 bit mode could improve startup times I suppose

Improve startup times how?

I suspect the bottleneck is hardware device initialization. If so, that probably has more to do with UEFI standards, code, and the implementations of the external hardware devices (including those integrated on the CPU package).

eidairaman1 · Jun 3, 2023

Bootup on my FX is fast, same with the AM4, just like a CRT TV.

Dr. Dro · Jun 3, 2023

nageme said:
Improve startup times how?

I suspect the bottleneck is hardware device initialization. If so, that probably has more to do with UEFI standards, code, and the implementations of the external hardware devices (including those integrated on the CPU package).

CPUs initialize several times until reaching 64-bit operation mode. But I suppose the time it takes to do so is insignificant really

bonehead123 · Jun 3, 2023

Bout Friggin Time....Legacy crap this, legacy crap that....

IMHO, if you STILL need 8, 16, or even 32bit compatibility in your processors for whatever reason, you may wanna consider another path in life...

they shoulda gotten rid of this stuff years ago and just pushed everyone to keep moving forward and keep pace with the modern world

thesmokingman · Jun 3, 2023

It's ironic, remove the old crap and all that's left is AMD64, the irony lmao. You don't need Intel base anynore. Ofc, I'm being facetious cuz I don't know what's invloved, but on the surface its funny as hell.

Dr. Dro · Jun 3, 2023

thesmokingman said:
It's ironic, remove the old crap and all that's left is AMD64, the irony lmao. You don't need Intel base anynore. Ofc, I'm being facetious cuz I don't know what's invloved, but on the surface its funny as hell.

That much seems obvious, because x86 and AMD64/EM64T have a symbiotic relationship on a modern PC.

x86 would operate on its own without 64-bit extensions (within its limitations) but never the other way around.

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Intel proposes x86-S, a redux of the x86 architecture

Is this a good idea?

Yes

No

Sunlight91

Chrispy_

Vya Domus

Dr. Dro

Vya Domus

agent_x007

nageme

eidairaman1

The Exiled Airman

Dr. Dro

bonehead123

thesmokingman

Dr. Dro

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